Bhubaneswar, July 8: All three chariots, Nandighosha, Taladhawja, and Darpadalana, have reached Saradhabali in Puri, reports confirmed on Monday. The sea of devotees rejoiced as the divine trinity arrived at their aunt’s house amid chants of “Jay Jagannath.”

The Lord and his siblings will now begin their nine-day stay at Gundicha Temple. The Rath Yatra is an annual event where the deities step out of the Srimandir to meet their devotees on the Badadanda.

Rath Yatra 2024 commenced yesterday, but due to several rituals coinciding on the same day, the chariot pulling extended into a two-day affair this year. This phenomenon last occurred in 1971.

It is worth mentioning that Balabhadra’s Taladhawja chariot was pulled yesterday, reaching near Marichikot Road. Subhadra’s Darpadalana chariot stopped near the temple administration office, while Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosha chariot had just started moving, remaining a short distance from Singha Dwara.

A sea of devotees gathered in Badadanda to catch a glimpse of the Lord. Notably, lakhs of devotees from across the globe thronged Puri to witness this year’s Rath Yatra, which is unique and special. This Rath Yatra, held after a 53-year gap, is different as several rituals, including Netra Utsav and Nabajouban Darshan, are being performed on the same day along with the Gundicha Yatra.

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